Gyroscopically-controlled torpedo.



H. W. SHONNARD.

GYROSCOPICALLY CONTROLLED TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. 1915.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J4me; k'.

321W t a .s.

WITNESSES H. W. SHONNARD. GYROSCOPICALLY CONTROLLED TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, I915.

w c m MHWM mm k (T NH,

6 w 0. Em y w Q? m WM H. W. SHONNARD. GYROSCOPICALLY CONTROLLED TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Q K k 3 S J H kg 3 at M 3 Q a g Q? t\ %g\ k WITNESSES E INVENTOR UMQYM & MM W H. W. SHONNARD. GYROSCOPICALLY CONTROLLED TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. I9I5.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD W. SHONNAR-D, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CRUCIBLE STEEL COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

GYROSCOPICALLY-CONTROLLED TOBPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. *7, 1915.

Application filed April 3, 1915. Serial No. 18,962.

To all whom it may concern:

htvrc-scopically-Controlled Torpedoes, of

which the following is a specification.

' In my l nited States Patent No. 1,035,6i7 l have disclosed certain improvements in methods of lire control for automobile torpedoes, whereby the final ejecting impulse for launching torpedoes is initiated after beginning thespmning of the gyroscope,

the releasing of the gyroscope being effected before the torpedo is freed from the directing influences of the launching tube. In said patent. as well as my United States Patent No. 1,030,13-l, I have illustrated several means for carrying out this method. Briefly stated I have shown means whereby the gyroscope may be spun by an electric motor placed on the outside of the launching tube, and by compressed air from the storage reservoir; and in both cases instrumentalitieS are shown for launching the torpedo after the gyroscope has been spun. The advantages in the accuracy of firing torpedoes obtained in the practice of my improved method are fully explained in the above mentioned patents and therefore need not be here repeated. Sufiice it to say that the importance of the subject has been amply demonstrated by circumstances that have arisen subsequent to the issue of such patents.

My present invention relates to the same subject matter as said earlier patents, and the object thereof is to provide improved mechanism particularly adapted to carry out the method described therein.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a director and a portion of a torpedo launching tube, a system of electrical conductors between the two being shown diagrammatically; Fig.

2 a longitudinal sectional View of the launch ing tube taken on Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a sectional view taken on the line V, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a view corresponding to Fig. 3 but showing modifications in construction; and Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the lines VII-VI'I, Fig. 6.

According to my present invention the torpedo is provided with an electric motor gyroscope for controlling its course in a horizontal plane. The gyroscope forms some of the features of my lnvention, while, as far aS other features are concerned, it may be of any suitable form or construction. Also, as far as some features of my invention are concerned, the gyroscope may be spun by a current taken from a source of electrical supply within the torpedo; however, as will presently be explained, such source of supply is preferably outside of the torpedo.

It is essential in all torpedo gyroscopes that their original delicate balance be undisturbed during the flight of the torpedo. It is therefore desirable in electric-motor gyroscopes for this purpose that there be no spinning forces, the lines of actions of which are necessarily undeterminate, acting upon itself the fiy wheel afterit has been unlocked, and

I provide in the preferred forms of my invention, the spinning is completely effected prior to the unlocking of the gimbal rings, as distinguished from constructions wherein the spinning power is'applied after as well as prior to such unlocking. Also the electric current is led to the inductor directly, rather than through the pivot point of the fly wheel or gimbal ring.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the gyroscope may be any suitable type of electric motor comprising a stator and rotor. That which I preferably provide, and which is shown herein, is athree-phase alternating current induction motor, wherein the stator 1 is the motor inductor, and the rotor 4, 5 the gyroscope fly wheel. The stator is secured by means of a spider 2 to a housing 3 which forms the inner gimbal, and the rotor is pivotally mounted as at 6, 6 to the housing or gimbal 3. As will be seen, the rotor comprises a shaft 4 extending centrally through the stator 1, and a weighted rim 5 secured to such shaft and adapted to revolve around the stator 1. Current is led to the stator through three conductors 7, which are connected to contactors 8 carried by the gimbal 3, which giinbal, to complete-the gyroscope proper is pivotallymounted in an outer gin1' bal 9. To the end that there may be a minimum interference with'the rotation of the fly wheel, the housing 3 is preferably made air-tight, and is i rovided with a suitable check valve so that the air may be partia-lly exhausted from such housin This may be done at any'convenient time and in any suitable manner. By such an arrange 'ment, the atmospheric resistance to the fly form is that illustrated in Figs. (3 and T, I

will first describe that of Figs. 3. l and 5.

As shown therein, the locking of the gyroscope and the making and breaking of a circuit through it is effected by a single member 10, slidably mounted in a suitable sleeve. 11

extending laterally from the main gyroscope casing 12. Secured to the outer end of this member there is a centering and locking pin 13, adapted to project into a recess in the gimbal 3, and three conducting rods or brushes 14: are carried by said member and are adapted to contact with the sereral contactors of such gimbal. lhese brushes are loosely mounted in the member 10 and are held yieidingly in their forward positions by means of springs 15. To their outer ends there are attached. flexible conductors 16 which are secured to the inner ends of binding posts or plugs 17. The lower side of the member 10 is provided with three contact bars 18, which. by suitable bus bars 19 are electrically connected to the plugs 17, and against which. conducting brushes or rods 20 are held by springs 21. These rods are con nected to one end of ilexible conductors '22, attached it their other ends to plugs 23, which in turn are electrically connected by conductors to posts 25, carried in a suitable disk 26, remorably secured by a water tight joint to the torpedo shell.

Before describing the means tor completing the circuit through the launching tube, and from an outside source of electrical supply, I will explain the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 5 for holding the slide member 10 in a position to simultaneously lock the gyroscope and to close the circuit through the inductor, and also the modified form of slide member and controlling mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The slide 10 is held yieldingly rearwardiy by means of a pair of springs 27, as seen in Fi 5, and may be mo ed forwardly by the rotation of a rod .28, provided at its inner end with a pinion 29 adapted to mesh with rack teeth 30 formed on the'side of such slide. The lower face of the slide is provided with a detent 31, adapted to he engaged by a sliding latch 32,

held upwardly by a spring 533, and through rod link 35, and drum or eccentric 36, connected toa trip finger 37. understood that, by tripping the finger 37, the latch 32 willbc drawn downwardly, and that the springs 27 will then exert their pressure to quickly more the slide member outwardly and thus releascthe gyroscope and break the circuit through the inductor thereof. The finger may be tripped either bythe initial-movement of the torpedo when the ejecting impulse is given to it, or a special means, operable before the torpedo is launched. may be provided for this purpose. As show herein, such special means consists of a solenoid or electrounagnet 38, having a movable armature 3%) provided with a catch :40 adapted to engage the end of the finger 37. By such an arrangement the gyroscope may, after having been spun, be released when the torpedo is properly pointed, and the ejecting impulse may be given to the torpedo at any time simultaneously with or subsequently t the releasing of the gyroscope, it. being unit will be derstood that the gyroscope will exert its I iniluenceto steer the torpedo in the course in whiclrit was intended it should travel when the gyroscope was released.

The construction, shown in Figs. o and 7, for locking the gyroscope and for making and breaking a circuit through it, diflers from that already described in that the sli ing member is moved positively in both directions rather than being moved in. one direction by springs, and further in that the contact brushes are not spring pressed. These figures show only as much of the construction as is essential to illustrate these modifications, and it will be understood that the gyroscope and other parts not shown may be the same as those of Figs. 3, 4c and 5. Referring then to Figs. 6 and T, the locking and circuit-controlling member 76 is slidably mounted in the supplementary casing 77, and has projecting from its inner end a centering and locking pin '78 adapted to engage the gyroscope gimbal 3, and conducting tubes 79 adapted to engage. contactor cups 1% borne by such gimbal. tudinally within the member 70, and, telescoping within such tubes, are conducting rods 80, carried at their outer ends by an insulation block 81 within the casing 77. Condoctors 82 are connected. at one end to the rods 80, and at their other ends to the conducting posts 83 of the disk 84:. For moving the slide member 7-6 "forwardly and rear- The tubes 7 9 extend longi-' face 85 adapted to be engaged by a pinion 86 secured to a shaft 87, which, through pinions 8'8 and 89, may be rotated by the turning of a shaft 90. Preferably, two instrumentalities are provided for turning the shaft 90, one for efiecting the forward and the other the rearward movement of the slide member 76. For the former there is shown a rod or shaft 91 provided with a beveled pinion 92 which meshes with a like pinion 93'secured to the shaft, the rod 91 having formed on its outer exposed end the usual angular wrench-cup 94. For the latter, that is the rearward unlocking movement of the member 76, the pinion 89 has secured to it a laterally projecting arm 95 pivoted to a rod 96 adapted to be raised by the rearward movement of the trip finger 97; and it will be understood that such finger may be moved in the same manner as the finger 37 of Fig. 3. The mechanism for completing the circuit from an outside source of supply through. the launching tube and to the con- I tact-posts of the torpedo is not specifically through a conduit .51, be admitted to the interior of the tube by means of a spring 43.

Similarly to the slide member 10, the piston 42 is provided with three sliding contact rods or brushes 44 backed by springs 45 and connected to plugs 46 by conductors 47 A tubular stem 48 is attached to the piston 42,

and to such stem a multiple-conductor cable 49 is attached, the conductors of which are electrically connected to the plugs 46. When in its inward position, the piston 42 makes a water-tight joint with the torpedo shell, and the brushes 44 contact with .the posts 25. To break the circuit thus established, the piston may be moved outwardly manually (and for this purpose it is provided with handles 50), or compressed air may,

casing 42 at the rear of a shoulder 52 of the piston. The air may be thus admitted either before the torpedo is launched or simultaneously with the ejectingimpulse. To hold the piston outwardly the stem 48 is provided with a notch 53 adapted to be engaged by a spring-pressed latch 54.

Various means may be employed for controlling the spinning of the gyroscope and the launching of the torpedo, and, depending upon the conditions of service as well as upon customary practices, the succession or coordination of the essential steps may be as desired. In the illustrative embodiment of my invention the arrangement is such that the entire operation is controlled by the sighting oliicer, who may, for example, be in the conning tower of a vessel. For this purpose there is indicated in Fig. 1 a director 55, which may be of any preferred construction. It is well known that such directors may be adjusted in accordance with. the various factors essential to accurately launch a torpedo, and that, when the enemy, being traced on his course, arrives at a predetermined point, an electric circuit will be closed. The circuit thus closed is, in the present embodiment of my invention, utilized to'control the admission of the torpedo ejecting impulse and to unlock the gyroscope.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a torpedo 56 is shown within the launching tube 57, on top of which there is mounted'the usual storage reservoir 58. Communication between the reservoir and the launching tube is controlled by means of a valve 59, operated by means of a rod 60 connected to an arm of a bell crank lever 61. The other arm of such lever is connected to a spring-pressed lockreleasing rod 62, such for example as is shown in Fig. 1 of my Patent 1,035,647; and such lever is provided with an upwardly projecting portion 63 adapted to be engaged by :1 pivotally mounted latch 64, suitably attached to the armature 65 of an electro-magnet 66. Furthermore, the conduit 51 is, as shown, connected to the passageway leading from the reservoir 58 to the tube 57.

Before describing the electrical connections for controlling the. launching of the torpedo and the unlocking of the gyroscope, it should be stated that the circuit for spinning the gyroscope may be controlled by a switch 69, secured to the director 55. Conductors67, leading from a suitable source of supply, are connected to one side of such switch, and conductors 68 leading to the circuit closing piston 42- are connected to the other side thereof. The current for operating the solenoids 38 and 66 is taken from the supply conductor 67,-and such solenoids are placed in series. Thus a conductor leads from one of the conductors 67 to one side of a switch (not shown herein) within the director, and a conductor 71 leads from the other side of such switch through the solenoid 66 and from thence through the solenoid 38, andv is connected by the extension 71 to a second of the conductors 67. By such an arrangement the gyroscope may, by throwing the switch 69 be spun at any time, and the period of spinning may be indefinitely prolonged according to circumstances. The torpedo may then be launched as soon as a circuit is, by the movement of the director 55, closed through the conductors 70 and 71.

' rod 28 or 91, respectively. The torpedo may then be placed in the launching tube 57 in such position that the piston 42 will register with the disk 26. The latch 54: may then be released to permit the piston to move toward such disk, and in this'position of the several parts the inductor ot' the electric motor gvroseope will be electrically connected to comluctors (38 outside of the launching tube. Prior to the launching of the torpedo the switch (39 may be thrown to close the circuit through the supply conductors G7 and the conductors ($8, to cause the gyroscope rotor or fly wheel to be spun. The director 55 will, at the proper time, close a circuit through the conductors TO and T1, the eilect of which is to move the armatures 39 and of the solenoids 3S and 66, respectively. The movement of the armature (35 controls the admission of the ejecting impulse, and to such end is efiective, through latch (Bl, bell crank lever 1 and rod 60, to open the valve 59 to permit the flow of air from the reservoir 58 to the launching tube 5?. Simultaneously, with the flowing of the air to the launching tube, air flows through the bypass or conduit 51 to the. casing 41 and causes the piston 42 to move outwardly and thus break the circuit between the conductors within the torpedo and outside of the launching tube. In the form illustrated in Figs. 3.l,and 5.the movement of the armature 39 is effective. through catch 40, finger 3T, drum 36, link 35, and rod 3i, to lower the latch 32 and thus permit the springs 27 to retract the slide member 10, the moyement of"- which unlocks the gyroscope and breaks the circuit through the inductor thereof. In the for-1nillustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the slide member is, through the connection shown therein positively moved rearwardly upon the tripping ot' the finger 97.

The advantages, obtained in the practice of my invention, by spinning the gyroscope by forces applied prior to its unlockinghave already been explained, as well asthe advantage obtained by leading the current to the inductor otherwise than through bearings of the gyroscope parts. It remains to be stated that there is an important advantage in spinning the gyroscope bya current taken from a source of supply outside of the torpedo. To supplyeach torpedo with its own source of electrical supply would necessitate placing of relatively large storage batteri s therein, thus necessarily adding to its weight and complicating the arrangement of its interior. It is furthermore characteristic of my present invention that, after the torpedo has been placed. within the launching tube, the gyroscope is always under the control of the operator. It may, at his will, be spun contim-iously, for an indefinite period, and is always ready to record the aim at the instant it is unlocked; /Vhile this method of fire control may be carried out by the mechanism illustrated in my above mentioned earlier Patents, No. 1,030,13l and No. 1,035,65, the means shown herein are especially well adapted to accomplish such purpose.

No claim is made in my present application to the features of my invention that concern the gyroscope construction in itself and the locking and spinning thereof ind-es pendently of its combination with torpedoes.

These features of my invention are in cluded in, and covered by the claims of, a divisional application.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, of an electric motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism, and a single movable member for locking the gyroscope and for making and breaking an electric circuit therethrough.

ln an automobile torpedo, thecombination with steering mechanism; of an electric motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism and comprising gimbal rings, a Stator, and a rotor; contactors borne by a gimbal and electrically connected to said. stator, and a member movable to and from such contactors for making and breaking a circuit through them.

3. In an automobile torpedo,the combination with steering mechanism, of an electric motor gyroscope "for controlling such mechanism, contactors carried by the gyroscope and electrically connected to the motor, and a movable member provided with currentconductors and in one position. adapted to hold said conductors against'said contactors.

In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, of an electric motor gyroscope for controlling "such mechanism and comprising gimbals and motor elements, contactors carried by one of said gimbals and electrically connected to a motor element, and a movable member provided with a centering pin adapted to engage and. lock said contactor -provided gimbal and further provided with current conductors adapted to contact with said contactors,

5. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, of an electric motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism and comprising gimbals and motor ele ments, contactors carried by one of said w lOQ bals and electrically connected to a motor element, a slide member provided with conductors adapted to contact with said contactor, and means for moving said slide member.

6. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, of an electric motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism and including gimbals and motor-elements, contactors borne by one of said gimbals and electrically connected to a motor element, a slide member provided with .current conductors, means for moving said member toward the gyroscope for engaging said contactors, and means for effecting a reverse movement of said member.

7. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, "of an induction electric motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism and comprising in part a gimbal and a non-rotatable inductor, contactors carried by said gimbal and electrically connected to the inductor, a slide member provided with current conductors adapted to contact with said gyroscope contactors and further provided with a centering pin for locking the gyroscope, and connections operablefrom without the torpedo for moving said slide member.

8. In an automobile torpedo, the combination with steering mechanism, ofan electric-motor gyroscope for controlling said mechanism and comprising gimbals, rotatahis and non-rotatable motor elements suspended within said gimbals, means for establishing an electric circuit through said motor, and a movable member effective upon the launching of the torpedo for breaking said circuit.

9. The combination of a torpedo launching tube, an automobile torpedo therein, steering mechanism for the torpedo, an electrically spun gyroscope for controlling such mechanism, means for carrying an electric circuit through the walls of said tube and torpedo for spinning the gyroscope, and means for breaking such circuit.

10. The combination of a torpedo launching tube, an automobile torpedo therein, steering mechanism for the torpedo, an electric-motor gyroscope for controlling such mechanism, means for establishing an electric circuit through said motor, and means operable while said torpedo is within said tube for breaking said circuit.

4 11. The combination of a torpedo launching tube, an automobile torpedo therein, steering mechanism for thetorpedo, an

electric motor gyroscope for controlling such gyroscope-locking position to contact with said gimbal contaetors, electrical connections from the torpedo wall to such conductors, and means for closing a circuit through the wall of the launching tube and said electrical connections within the torpedo.

13. The combination of a torpedo launching tube, an automobile torpedo therein, steering mechanism for the torpedo, an electrically spun gyroscope for controlling such mechanism, an electric circuit from a source of supply outside of the launching tube to the gyroscope within the torpedo, and means operable upon the launching of the torpedo for breaking such circuit at a point within the torpedo.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HAROLD WV. SHONNAR-D.

Witnesses:

G. C. NEWELL, R. MA'r'rHEws.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0." 

